Sophia

New House

Christmas Letter 2008

I can't believe I am so bad at keeping this updated.  So here is a long update...see the Christmas letter as well.

We are really finding our happiness here.  Tyler started at a private school the week of Thanksgiving.  It has been a change of a lifetime.  He was not happy at the public school we are slated to go to.  It was a huge school and very busy for Kindergarteners.  They didn't get  a recess until 1:30 in the afternoon.  Four straight hours of sitting for 5 year olds is next to impossible, and he was starting to show signs of stress.

When he got in trouble for cutting his own hair, I started looking at other schools.  Unfortunately in PWC we can not transfer schools 'due to discipline" issues.  I was told that the school administration could as for the transfer, but I didn't want to tag Tyler as a discipline issue since cutting your own hair isn't a crime.  It is something that most children do at some point in their life.

Then he colored on the carpet, not ok, but again not a serious problem...give him a scrub brush and have him clean it up right?  Nope, his school wanted to suspend him...for coloring on the circle time rug...HE'S FIVE!!!!  So we fought the suspension, and won. The discipline committee agreed with me that cutting your own hair isn't referable and that coloring the carpet, albeit wrong, wasn't punishable by suspension.  The next week, Tyler started at his new school.  It is wonderful!

He hasn't had a "bad" day in since.  His new teacher, Mrs Fowler, is a gift from God.  Tyler really responds to her.  It's a small school, only one Kindergarten class with only 15 students.  I am really blessed to be able to have this option.  So to keep it that way, I am headed back to work.

I start at Jackson Hewitt in a couple of weeks and will prepare taxes for the season.  I am hoping to have a permanent part-time job with NW Federal Credit Union by the summer.  I have to reinstate my security clearance and that usually takes 4 - 6 months.  So pray for me!

Roger is doing well.  Trying to get up-to-speed at the Pentagon has him running from 4 AM till 7PM when he gets home.  Not an easy job by a . But he loves the AF and is such a strong person that it will all come together soon.  The new administration starting next month will put all of the military leaders into a running holding pattern, but I am sure that all will smooth out by summer.

Sophia, let me tell you about Sophia.  She is really coming into herself.  What a darling little girl. She sings through out the whole day.  She loves to include me in her sing-a-longs and playtimes.  She is very independent but includes people as well.  She is also at a private school and is thriving there.  LOVES IT!  Her teacher Ms Tasha is the most energetic person I know.  She is amazing with the children and again, we are blessed she is in our daughters life.

 31 October 2008                                                         

Here are the kids at Halloween. Sophia broke her finger so it was the biggest pumpkin and  prettiest Cinderella costume we could find.  Tyler had been hinting about being Spiderman since, well...since the day he was born.  So good times were had by all                                        

Jen and I had a wonderful time on Friday night!  We talked so much I forgot to get the camera out and take pictures...who me talk? NEVER! :)   Jen has really made a great life for her and her husband Jim here in Ft Walton Beach.  Here salon is amazing, her hubby gets to tour around the world with some great musicians all while keeping true to the very essence of who they are.  Grounded and beautifully tattooed they have an amazing relationship that we all could learn from.

I walked the beach a bit yesterday and found myself surrounded by butterflies...hundreds of butterflies along the dunes

.then I went to Eglin AFB and here is the view of the sound from the Officer's Club.

My Saturday was an eye opening experience, well actually more heart opening.  I have been feeling lost in my sense of self and this trip was supposed to help me "learn to relax and be quiet by myself".  What I learned was that I couldn't find myself with out my family.  I am so grateful to have really had this experience so that I can see that I am a mommy, wife and friend.  And a truly good one at that.  I love my family, Roger, Tyler and Sophia, and my place in life.  I am truly blessed and when I get home at midnight and kiss the warm heads of my children and crawl into the soft sheets next to my husband.....only then will I truly relax.

I went to Jen's, my cousin, salon today. She did an amazing job on my hair!  It was great chatting and we are going out for dinner and drinks around 8PM....late for this mommy, but I am really looking forward to it. Here is a picture of the front of Jen's salon.

               Good Morning from my room at the Hilton                        

16 October 2008

Here I am at Sandestin Florida.  This trip is by myself.  It's really hard to relax, but it is so beautiful that I should fall into a coma soon.  I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to fall asleep to the sound of the ocean.  Below are a couple of photos from my drive to the hotel.  The sunset pictures will come later as I took them on the phone.

The weather is so nice here still. We are still in shorts and T-shirts.  Its nice, but I am ready for my sweaters.   Here is a picture of a magnolia on the tree in my front yard.  I took a bunch of these and had them enlarged for our family room.  I have never seen these this close, I have to say they are amazing!

We are all settling in good.  Tyler is learning how to act at school.  PWCS are very strict and hypersensitive.  So our "Colorado Casual" lifestyle is changing.  But he is a strong kid and will be just fine.   Oh yeah, it's my 38th birthday today.  I am not sure how I feel.  It doesn't bother me so much getting older...I just hate all the grey areas.

HE'S HOME!!!!

13 September 08

We happily joyfully and graciously picked up Roger from Dulles at 1430 yesterday.  The USO at Dulles is amazing and had the kids draw posters and gave us flags, I highly recommend them if passing through the area.

5 August 08

Well it's been almost a week since we got to Virginia and I am just now getting around to writing here.   The trip was uneventful.  That means all went well, as well as a 1800 mile journey with two kids and two cats could go.  Thankfully my mom was there to "Make it all better".  She was a great help with the kids and keeping a watchful eye on the cats.  They are little 10 pound Houdini's.

The kids are in a wonderful KinderCare here.  The Director's name is Sarah, she is a riot!  We end up talking for 20 minutes every time I drop off the kids!  Nice to meet someone else who can chat and keep up with me!

Sophia's teacher is Miss Paula, she is from Brazil.  Her favorite things to do are sing and dance, so Sophia has found a new home.  I have also enrolled her in a beginning ballet class at the local dance studio.  She is really  cute with her poses.  I believe it is one of her many gifts.

Tyler's teacher for this month is Miss Desiree. No not the one from Colorado a new one. She is really patient with him which is really nice.  He is having a hard time with this move. But he is trying hard to be the man of the house and he really helps with Sophia a lot.

Well I should be off to pick them up.  Have a great Day!

23 June 08

We just got orders for the Pentagon...thought this would be a good time to change the website since it hasn't seen updates in over a year.

Sophia is now almost three and Tyler is set to be five in a couple of weeks.

I really feel that now is the time for me to take care of business:

• Mom and Dad: I couldn't have survived this year without your patience and love for my children.  Your readiness to help and never ending energy have been invaluable.  Tyler and Sophia will never forget their year here with you.

• Ed and Marcella: They way you have helped around the house fixing things and playing endless rounds of "the snake game" were amazing.  I loved our chats over sandwiches, and the kids loved having you over for dinner.

• Sharon and Dave: Your willingness to jump in a moments notice is fantastic.  When a small, tired voice on the phone asked if you could help when both kids were sick, you brought medicine and 7Up on your way to the show. You were there for an ear and to watch the kids.  Thanks, you really have become close to me this year and I will miss that.

• Blake and Julie: Having us up for dinners and hours of playtime just when I needed the break the most.  Your timing is impeccable.

• Heather: For your voice of reason on the other end of the line.  The generosity of your time. Couldn't have asked for better conviction to keep it all running smoothly!

• And the rest of you; friends across Colorado, Wyoming, Virginia, and North Carolina and even in Canada...THANKS...we made it through the year with out Roger... Only because we had all of you to help take care of us.